Seriously? Riding a motorcycle as part of a Police Department official
representation in a community event might somehow taint him and mark him as gay
or a gay supporter or some-such?

Not marching as a member of a gay
group. Being part of an official escort for his bosses.

Would he
similarly refuse to escort the Presidential motorcade if the Mr. Obama journeyed
to Salt Lake, for fear someone might think he voted for Obama or had turned
Democrat?

Would he refuse to escort the Police Float in a Saint
Patrick's Day Parade for fear someone might think he would be drinking
green beer afterward?

As a gay man, I would be very afraid of this
man stopping me for a real - or made up - traffic violation. If I was a crime
victim I would be afraid of this man showing up if I called the police. My
experience says his "problem" with the GLBT community is the kind of
attitude that carries over into every interaction with gay men and lesbians.

If he can't deal with the GLBT community, he might consider another
line of work.

It is so disturbing to me that people who have no religious beliefs, feel that
they can dismiss the feelings of those who do, as "bigotry" and
"bias." The first amendment protects expression of religion.
Certainly, a Police officer, must protect everyone equally, but as he was
willing to take a different assignment, security for instance, he was willing to
put his life on the line for people in the parade, who have differing views than
his own. Ironically, he is protecting their freedom of speech, but is not
allowed his own. So he would protect them with his life, as his job requires,
but he did not want to seem to condone their views by leading their parade. It
sounds to me like the department could have accomodated his personal religious
beliefs. I admire him for following his conscience. If we can't follow
our conscience, when it doesn't violate someone else's rights, what
kind of "freedom' do we have?

"We don't tolerate bias and bigotry in the department, and assignments
are assignments," Jones said Friday

Interesting choice of words,
but typical and predictable in this day and age of political correctness, and
the selective acceptance of perverse ideas and activity. I bet I could put forth
a scenario where the department would have to literally eat those words!

***The officer simply felt that the level of participation required in the event
could be perceived as endorsing or advocating in favor of the LGBTQ community, a
position which made him uncomfortable given his personal and religious
beliefs," the statement read.

Salt Lake police spokeswoman Lara
Jones declined to comment on the statement Monday...."We don't tolerate
bias and bigotry in the department, and assignments are assignments," Jones
said Friday.***

Except, apparently, for bigotry against those who are
driven by their religious beliefs.

let's force people to be uncomfortable. maybe the "pride" people
should be asked to ride at the front of a heterosexual parade or be placed on
leave. PC is totally out of control. SL police should be ashamed to cave into a
non event. I am sure no other officers could have handled this assignment.

"We don't tolerate bias and bigotry in the department, and assignments
are assignments"

When are we going to grow up and realize that
disagreeing is not bigotry. That word is used for one reason and one reason
alone, to end the conversation, to shut the other party up, to discredit
anything they might say after.

It is the ultimate childishness to
throw out "bigot" when the other person simply disagrees. Get over
yourselves people.

I am disappointed in the officer. Riding ahead of the parade is a part of the
security detail. I have never considered the police at the head or tail of a
parade as endorsing the parade or any part of the parade. To me they have always
been advance or tail-end security.....making sure the way is clear and
bystanders, watchers or others are not impeding the parade. If he had been asked
to be a part of the parade I could understand his position and would agree with
his feelings. I have been in a number of parades and have served with the police
as an auxiliary member so I am not just talking out of my hat here. As a citizen
I have often wondered why we don't have heterosexual parades expressing
pride in ourselves but realize that we don't need to - oh wait....maybe the
same should be said of Gay Pride.

Government employees do not have a right to refuse assignments because of
personal belief or opinions.Government employees leave their personal beliefs
and opinions at the door of their employment. If he tries to sue his government
employer he will handily lose in court, as he rightfully should.

"We have learned that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men
[and women] that as soon as they get a little authority as they may suppose,
that they immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion." Looks like
the Salt Lake police department is using a little unrighteous dominion. This is
inflexibility taken to a ridiculous extreme. Or perhaps someone that outranks
the officer is looking for an excuse to get rid of him. This can't be much
of a morale booster for the department.

They should have accommodated him. No one would have had to know about it and no
one would be losing their job because they felt uncomfortable doing something
against their conscience. Hopefully, he'll get a job that is most sensitive
to his religious views. It takes courage to stand up for your beliefs, even if
it means losing your job.